“Neither the death toll nor what exactly occurred can be verified as the area is blocked off with access denied. (Note from Lenny: Absolutely the OPPOSITE of what’s happening around Israel, not because Gaza – led by the terror group Hamas – is a free, open society, but because Israel is, with freedom of the press.)

“The estimates of how many people died in the suspected chemical attack range from 42 to more than 60 people, but medical groups say numbers could rise as rescue workers gain access to basements where hundreds of families had sought refuge from bombing.”

Now, the US and Russia have traded barbs at a UN Security Council meeting. The Russian representative said the incident was staged and US military action in response could have “grave repercussions.”

US ambassador Nikki Haley said Russia – being a Syrian military backer – had the “blood of Syrian children” on its hands. She said if the UN Security Council acts or not, “either way, the United States will respond.”

Later Monday, President Trump pledged the incident would “be met forcefully,” adding the US had a lot of military options and a decision would be taken “tonight” or “shortly.”

UN Watch reports Syria is due to “chair the United Nations disarmament forum that produced the treaty banning chemical weapons” from late May into late June. The US and others are expected “to strongly protest, and for their ambassadors to walk out of the conference during the four weeks of the Syrian presidency.”

To the situation in Gaza and reaction: Starting with the basics, Mahmoud Abbas was elected president of the Palestinian National Authority after Yasser Arafat died. Then, the PLO Central Council voted him into office indefinitely. So there’s no democracy in Judea and Samaria, which is referred to as the West Bank of the Jordan River.

In 2005, the Israeli army withdrew from Gaza and dismantled all settlements in the Gaza Strip. Then, the terror group Hamas was elected as the Palestinian government. Abbas, who succeeded Arafat in Judea and Samaria, lost.

According to Wikipedia, “There have been conflicts between Hamas and similar factions operating in Gaza, and with Israel” and “The radicalization of the Gaza Strip brought internal conflicts between various groups” like deadly Hamas crackdowns. Plus, of course, nobody can ignore all the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel from schools and hospitals – any way to use civilians as human shields.

So there has not been a Palestinian group to negotiate with Israel.

Tonight, a friend I respect in certain areas but on the far left fringe posted this on Facebook.

So Israelis should just sit back and let everyone nearby do what they want to do?

“being attacked by 40,000 rioters whose goal is to overthrow the United States and reclaim Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. What if they were hurling Molotov cocktails, rolling burning tires and trying to cut holes in the border fence? How would our country respond?”

Some people say Israel overreacted. Tell that to the folks who live in the area, like southern Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California!

Facts and Logic guessed,

“We’d probably respond with leaflets and loudspeakers warning the militants to stay away from the border. If they didn’t stop rushing the border, we’d use tear gas, then rubber bullets. If they persisted and tried to tear down the border fence, we’d respond with live ammunition, and some would die. Which is exactly what happened when the terrorists attacked Israel last week.

“The Israel Defense Forces have identified 10 of the 17 people killed as members of Hamas or other Palestinian terror groups. This was no family picnic or peaceful demonstration.”

Even worse, “Hamas leaders told the protesters, the so-called March of Return marked a “new phase in the Palestinians’ national struggle on the road to liberating all of Palestine, from the river to the sea.”

In other words, don’t shed any tears. That’s conquering all of Israel.

You can’t say they’re attacking Israel to end the boycott of Gaza. Facts and Logic says they’d be attacking Egypt since “Egypt controls the Rafah crossing to Gaza, which was open for less than 30 days in 2017, compared with some 280 days for the Erez crossing from Israel.”

We know the phrase “war is hell.”

I ask you, who started it and who is experiencing (and arguably deserving of) hell?

There have been numerous offers of land for a Palestinian state. The Arabs rejected the 1947 UN Armistice Plan and Israel won its War of Independence. Then, 19 years later after a war of defense that took only six days, Israel

“drove Jordan from eastern Jerusalem and the Jewish homelands of Judea and Samaria (later known as the West Bank) and repulsed Egypt from Gaza. Shortly thereafter, the Arab League issued its famous Khartoum Resolution: ‘No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations with it.’ (Any questions? -Lenny) Since then, despite numerous Israeli offers of land for a Palestinian state, the Arabs continue to reject peace.”

Luckily, the Gulf states may be coming to their senses with Iran being a bigger, closer enemy. In fact, India’s airline can actually fly over Saudi Arabia to and from Tel Aviv, saving gasoline and hours! (Israel’s El Al can’t do so at this time.) The way it’s looking, the Palestinians will be the LAST Arabs to make peace with Israel.

“Following World War II, the Germans and Japanese surrendered and were forced to give up lands they had earlier occupied. In return they were granted peace and sovereignty. The Arabs, on the other hand, have never surrendered, despite losing numerous wars with Israel, and they have never accepted peace. Sadly, until the Palestinians are willing to give up their quest to conquer Israel, they are doomed to unending struggle and statelessness.”

“A Brooklyn legislator was accused Wednesday of delivering a bizarre tirade against Jews, while ripping Mayor Bill de Blasio as a sellout, during a local community board meeting this week. Assemblywoman Diane Richardson’s 50-minute rant during the Board 17 meeting Monday night faulted Jews for gentrifying in her district. … During a rezoning talk, a board member complained that people constantly ring her doorbell to ask if she’s interested in selling her home. ‘It must be Jewish people,’ Richardson responded, according to Lew Fidler, a former City Council member who is Jewish and attended the meeting as a representative of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.”

Want to stereotype? We’re not the ones who ring doorbells or even knock on doors!

(He should be taken to task for “new rules for what yeshivas must teach … the result of state Sen. Simcha Felder’s push to lower standards for yeshivas. Lawmakers mercifully nixed that outrageous demand but did agree to new language, seemingly written just for yeshivas, that spell out new curriculum requirements.”)

Would that work with any other group of people?

The article also said Assemblywoman

“Richardson apparently knew her remarks were controversial because she had board officials shut off the board’s tape recorder before her comments. Richardson also invoked race when discussing what she called the city’s uneven placement of homeless shelters.”

This is how the discussion played out.

So a few giggles about the absurdity of the whole thing.

I don’t know why Richardson felt the need to invoke race or religion.

I would think people like her have suffered enough. Didn’t last night’s 60 Minutes teach anyone anything? And now, she’s a New York State assemblywoman who made herself look like only the first three letters of her title.

I wonder if she even realizes her district contains Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, plus Crown Heights and Eastern Parkway. There’s also the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, but I think she should stay as far away from there as possible, and not be any influence.

Apparently this was the second time in as many weeks Richardson had a breakdown.

“also went ballistic … at a Democratic caucus in Albany, sources said. Assembly Democrats who witnessed Richardson’s outburst at Speaker Carl Heastie over funding one of her pet projects said they were stunned and outraged, calling it the most abusive and rude behavior they ever encountered at a caucus meeting.

“She had a meltdown. She was really out of control,” said one Assembly veteran.

“Everyone in the room was appalled at her behavior. She basically accused the speaker and his staff of lying to her. It was a personal attack. I’ve never seen anything like that in conference.”

Another Assembly Democratic insider who witnessed Richardson’s rant called it “the most abusive behavior in memory.”

Looking for some sort of apology, Richardson has had no press releases posted in almost a year, since May 3, 2017.

A Statement from Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson
NY, NY – Over the past few years, it has been an honor to serve a community which surpasses every creed, color, and religion. As a descendant of immigrant parents, I understand the unique plight minority groups may experience.

As a public servant to a district that serves as a cultural melting pot, I have had the opportunity to work with an esteemed group of rabbis, pastors and community leaders. It has come to my attention that in a conversation about gentrification, the New York Post stated that I said, “It must be Jewish people.”

I did not make these remarks; these allegations are false. As a passionate leader who values individuals on a human level, I condemn hate, anti-Semitism and racism.

I will continue to stand with each and every family, group, and leader that I represent. I am humbled by the support of the following community leaders, who truly understand my heart for tolerance, inclusivity and togetherness.

“As a colleague in the New York State Assembly, but more importantly as a close personal friend, I have known Diana to be a thoughtful, understanding and inclusive representative who has worked tirelessly to represent every family and resident of her district,” said former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. Her passion for public service and commitment to the community come straight from the heart and her unwavering advocacy is sincere and unwavering.” – Former New York State Assemblymember Phil Goldfeder

“It seemed clear to me from the reports that it was not the assembly member who made the offensive comment. I accept her clear denial.” – Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council.

“I believe that the NY Post reported #fakenews. Assemblymember Diana Richardson has always been a friend to our community. She has stated publicly on multiple occasions that gentrification is about economics not race.”- Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, founder of the Jewish Future Alliance, Crown Heights

“I am all the way in Israel at the moment, on tour with 20 members from my church, which is located at 1250 St. John’s Place, in Brooklyn. I have known Diana Richardson long before she was an elected official. In my encounter with her, she represents all the people in her district from all nationalities. This is a false statement about Diana, who is always working hard on behalf of all the people in her District.” -Pastor Wenton Fyne, Beulah Church of the Nazarene, Crown Heights

“Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson is certainly a passionate person who deeply cares for persons from all walks of life. Her heart is in the right place as a servant leader.” – Father Vitet, St. Markâ€™s Episcopal Church, Crown Heights

“The Crown Heights community; in which I serve as a pastor, is one of unique beauty and cultural diversity. Due to Crown Height’s myriad of races, cultures and religions; it requires leadership that understands and values its character; which Assemblywoman Diana Richardson has displayed during her time in office. It saddens me to see false allegations rise against a leader who has shown up time and time again for all those represented in her district. However, I do know that truth prevails and it will in this situation. My hope is that those who may have been hurt by these false allegations will find peace and trust in the honest character that has been demonstrated by our Assemblywoman (as it speaks for itself); so that we all can continue to work together in building a stronger and united Crown Heights and Brooklyn community.” – Pastor Nikita Watson, MPH, Covenant Keepers Ministries, Crown Heights

“I have known Diana for several years. We have traveled to Israel together and spent a lot of time discussing legislation combating anti-Semitism as well as other issues of importance to the Jewish community. Diana has actively participated in Jewish and interfaith events, showing religious and cultural sensitivity. As a member of the Jewish community, I support her in her ongoing dialogue with her Jewish community.” – Jeff Leb, United Jewish Appeal

“It has been my pleasure to work with Assemblymember Diana Richardson over the past few years. She is a voice for the voiceless and represents our community well. She is a champion for the people of her district and we are proud of the work she does.” -Bishop Orlando Findlayter, New Hope Christian Fellowship, East Flatbush

“Assemblywoman Diana Richardson is an elected official whom my church and I know personally. I have known her long before she ran for elected office and eventually became the State Assemblywoman for the 43rd District in Brooklyn. During her tenure, she has been a fighter for the rights and the issues of all people, regardless of their racial, religious or ethnic background. Never have I heard her disrespecting any group or individual. Unlike many politicians, she is humble and shows up when she is invited anywhere, as much as she is able. She works for all, and not just any special interest group. I stand with her.” -Reverend Edward Jenkins, Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church, Crown Heights

“As a member of the clergy, I have the utmost appreciation and respect for Assemblywoman Richardson. She has worked tirelessly for the community and the state of New York. She has always embraced the diverse community she represents and most certainly respects everyone and deserves it in return.” -Reverend Al Cockfield, God’s Battalion of Prayer Ministries, East Flatbush

“I appreciate and respect everything Assemblywoman Richardson has done for the community and the state of New York. She has always exhibited character which warrants respect to and of everyone.” -Reverend Terry lee, Byways & Hedges Youth For Christ Ministry, East Flatbush

“I can say with absolute confidence, that Assemblywoman Richardson has always maintained a high level of thoughtfulness and courteousness for all individuals throughout the state of New York. There is no way that these allegations can be true.” -Father Eddie Alleyne, St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Crown Heights